Back home

Four generations: Nana, baby Theodora, Mum and me (Kara)

I am back home in the Blue Mountains after spending a few days down in Sydney at Mum's place. It has been lovely to be there: have someone else cook, clean AND take the baby when it's getting too hard. I can see why other cultures really do all live together and help out - we live in nuclear families here but it isn't always the best solution!

But it is also nice to come home.

The Mountains are so special to me. I love escaping the smog and traffic of the inner city, hit the Highway and get back up here. The air is so fresh and cool and our house is in the bush so it always smells nice - we can hear the gully trickling away.

This week

I am staying at Mums place in the city (Sydney) this week - it has bee a wonderful reprieve from long days at home with a new baby. Just thought I'd let you know...
:)

Clutches are up

Delicious new clutches are now up! Check 'em out.

New clutches online... here are 2 so far!

New clutches online - and more coming this weekend! Here is a sneak preview of two that are now on my site... Sinita (above) and Clarissa (below).


I will try to get them all up by tomorrow : there is another 4 designs to go up!

Have a great weekend.

Bags coming... stay tuned

I've managed to put together some fabric combinations to create purses and handbags. Stay tuned and watch out on my site to see what's new over the next few weeks!


It's STILL raining. It's beautiful to go to sleep to, not so good to dry clothes, do stuff and get Theo in UV light. I might have to do some days in Sydney soon to get more light on her. I've been trying to capture photos of her smiling.

Rain rain go away...

It's a blistering 14 degrees (c) here today and I'm tired of the rain...

Living in the Blue Mountains means I should be used to this, but it's been misty and raining heavily for days now and expected to continue until mid next week. I'd love to shift the rain to where it's needed - where bushfires are raging and water would be sweet relief. If only this could be done...

I donated to the Red Cross on Friday for the bushfire appeal. With me not working and a new little baby, I can't really afford it but it is so upsetting what people are going through in Australia. I heard that some of the victims of the floods in Qld are donating their relief money to bushfire victims in Vic. This made me cry - people are so so generous!

We also need a little sunlight up here.

Theo is still quite jaundiced and gets check ups by the paediatrician so we need to keep up the UV light on her so she continues to do well with bringing down her levels. The paed had said that about 30 was the level for a baby her age and her level is approx. 250. So still a way to go!

Best Bunny by Flying Star Toys

On Monday Theo received the most beautiful and unexpected gift - a 'Best Bunny' by Florence at Flying Star Toys! What a surprise and a real treat!

Florence's beautiful toys are to DIE for... and certainly too good for the little ones.

Already Theo is responding and follows her Best Bunny when I move it in front of her. There is a gorgeous bell around the Bunny's neck so Nelly (the dog) also thinks she's pretty cool and wants a turn (no way!).


Check out these Biscuit Bunnies:
"Biscuit Bunnies! They're the most delightful guests to have over to tea but you'll have to watch that they don't hop into the tea-cups. When they're not investigating the blend you prefer they like to sit quietly listening to the wind in the trees, thinking on buttons and balls of string."

You need to check out the Flying Star Toys website - everything that Florence has created is beautiful with such attention to detail and finish.

Thank you Florence! x

Stoopid

Yesterday I broke my little toe on my left foot. I have done this a couple of times over the years but it is getting ridiculous.

First thing in the morning I walked past the change table in the bedroom and managed to collide and break my little toe so it stuck out at a very unusual angle - ouch! So we all got in the car to Emergency to find out that X-ray wasn't open til 10am so all go back home, feed Theo, grouch and moan for a bit, then drive myself back up.

This means 6 weeks til it heals. Not good when you have a 4 week old baby and really need to think about doing 'some' sort of exercise soonish - but a good excuse not to I think you will agree? Oh, and I only get to wear trainers in that time which I'm not happy about. I am limited in what I can fit into since the birth and they just don't go that well with skirts! Hee hee...

Gorgeous-ness

Ok, let's talk design, fabrics, colour - anything but babies! I stumbled on this fabulous imagery at Daily Imprints wonderful blog and needed, desperately, to share with you.


These are photos of Hotel Bourg Tibourg in Paris... mmm.... And you MUST check out their website, it is very very nice.


"My tip is the room on the top floor, facing the street, which has a small balcony for breakfast and from which you enjoy a magnificent view over the roofs of Paris. The petit dejeuner is a special insider tip - home-made jam, jars of yoghurt, fresh fruit and the best croissants in Paris."
Angelika Taschen

Images courtesy of Hôtel Bourg Tibourg

Housewife's choice

Today was my first day being totally on my own with Theodora. I was a bit apprehensive as Steven has been with me helping out over the past 3 and a half weeks. But it went really well and I managed to get some things done, go to sleep with her and even have two little outings! We got to the fruit 'n' veg shop and then later walked Nelly the dog to the park (which is a really steep hill so wasn't a good idea in this stinking heat).

But I have done it and feel so much more confident!

I also did an interview via email for a magazine which feels so weird as I am not in sync with my business right now. But it was nice to get back into it momentarily.

Gotta go - I even made dinner for Steven when he gets home. Such a housewife...

Can't get to my fabric!

Mum brought me up a huge bag of great vintage fabrics - but I can't get a SECOND to look at them. So I am sticking to my original plan of not working on handmade handbags for a while yet - motherhood has taken over! Steven goes back to work tomorrow and I have to say I'm a little nervous about being on my own for soooo long with Theo - but I'm sure I will work it out. I have lots of lovely friends here in the Mountains, all have said to call if it gets rough.


Theo is starting to get the hang of her rocker - even smiling and cooing - but I can never get the camera ready when she smiles. Typical. Again, I have her dressed like a boy - well, some would say, but I would wear this t-shirt if it was in my size - I love it!

Today we are going to a baby shower at Lillianfels resort here in the Blue Mountains. The baby, Sterling, has already been born (he came a little early) so it will be fun to have him there at his own shower! I have a really gorgeous vintage blue striped smocked dress for Theodora to wear. It will be the second time I've had her in a dress, very girly! I will take some pics and upload them of the babies at the shower today.


Update: (above) the smocked dress is still too big so I went for Brusselsprouts fab retro kids dress and bloomers. It was hot enough for her to wear it. It's just too cute! (below) A shot from Sam & Greg's baby shower at Lillianfels - divine.